First Strike issue 2: Difference between revisions

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|date=[[August 23]], 2017
|date=[[August 23]], 2017
|coverdate=August 2017
|coverdate=August 2017
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]] and [[David A. Rodriguez]]
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]] and [[David Rodriguez]]
|art by=[[Max Dunbar]]
|art by=[[Max Dunbar]]
|colors by=[[Ander Zarate]]
|colors by=[[Ander Zarate]]
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|assistant editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|assistant editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|editor=[[David Hedgecock]]
|editor=[[David Hedgecock]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity]]
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}
}}


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==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
[[Scarlett]]'s reading of [[Joe Colton]]'s letter is interrupted as a phalanx of [[Red Shadows]] crash through the walls of the bunker. The [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] pull out, fighting their way through the ninja back to the surface, realizing as they go that Colton has wired the entire base to blow. The team intends to hijack one of the heli-transports on the launchpad outside to get away, but even it is set to explode, and does so before they can get to it. His patience expired, [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] puts all of his might to work shoulder-charging his way through the Red Shadows, clearing a path that lets the team make it outside before the whole base goes up. Once they have regained their bearings, Scarlett resumes reading Colton's letter, and learns that Colton has joined forced with [[Garrison Kreiger]] to avail of the "weapon of last resort" he possesses. Having found official channels to insurmountably corrupted by [[Dire Wraith]] infiltration, Colton went outside the law to enact this plan, creating a new identity for himself: [[Baron Ironblood]].
[[Scarlett]]'s reading of [[Joe Colton]]'s letter is interrupted as a phalanx of [[Red Shadows]] crash through the walls of the bunker. The [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] pull out, fighting their way through the ninja back to the surface, realizing as they go that Colton has wired the entire base to blow. The team intends to hijack one of the heli-transports on the launchpad outside to get away, but even it is set to explode, and does so before they can get to it. His patience expired, [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] puts all of his might to work shoulder-charging his way through the Red Shadows, clearing a path that lets the team make it outside before the whole base goes up. Once they have regained their bearings, Scarlett resumes reading Colton's letter, and learns that Colton has joined forces with [[Merklynn|Garrison Kreiger]] to avail of the "weapon of last resort" he possesses. Having found official channels to be insurmountably corrupted by [[Dire Wraith]] infiltration, Colton went outside the law to enact this plan, creating a new identity for himself: Baron Ironblood.


On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Destro]] and [[Storm Shadow]] blast their way past [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] in the [[Razorback]], making for their pre-determined rendezvous point. Also on course for the same location is the team of [[Miles Mayhem]], Garrison Kreiger and a third villain whose face remains hidden in shadow, who are transporting Kreiger's weapon—the mysterious alien obelisk known as the "[[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]]"—in Mayhem's "[[Outlaw]]" truck. The plan is to connect the Talisman to Cybertron's core and poison the planet from within—a task which requires the "Enerchange" interface abilities of the final member of the villainous team, [[Microspace]] minister of war [[Shazraella]]. The inches-tall Shazraella requires a larger body in order to do her part, the procurement of which falls to Storm Shadow; from the fleeing crowd of panicked Cybertronians, the ninja selects and cuts down the [[Eukaris|Eukarian]] [[Antagony (BW)|Antagony]] so that Shazraella can Enerchange and fuse with her, gaining control of her body. Linking up with the rest of the villains, the now-giant Shazraella hefts the Talisman onto her back, and she and the rest of the team—squabbling and backbiting all the way, of course—enter a duct that will lead them down into the depths of the planet.
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Destro]] and [[Tempest (G.I. Joe)|Storm Shadow]] blast their way past [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] in the [[Razorback]], making for their pre-determined rendezvous point. Also on course for the same location is the team of [[Miles Mayhem]], Garrison Kreiger, and a third villain whose face remains hidden in shadow, who are transporting Kreiger's weapon—the mysterious alien obelisk known as the "[[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]]"—in Mayhem's "[[Outlaw]]" truck. The plan is to connect the Talisman to Cybertron's core and poison the planet from within—a task which requires the "[[enerchange]]" interface abilities of the final member of the villainous team, [[Microspace]] minister of war [[Shazraella]]. The inches tall Shazraella requires a larger body in order to do her part, the procurement of which falls to Storm Shadow; from the fleeing crowd of panicked Cybertronians, the ninja selects and cuts down [[Antagony (BW)|Antagony]] so that Shazraella can enerchange and fuse with her, gaining control of her body. Linking up with the rest of the villains, the now-giant Shazraella hefts the Talisman onto her back, and she and the rest of the team—squabbling and backbiting all the way, of course—enter a duct that will lead them down into the depths of the planet.


While the villains' main objective goes into motion, Baron Ironblood and the rest of his footsoldiers keep the Transformers and [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]]'s G.I. Joe team busy. Head of planetary security [[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]] saves Flint, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], and [[Zilong Qian|Talon]] from a band of Red Shadows led by [[Major Bludd]], then calls for a retreat back to the [[Spire]], hoping that the [[Council of Worlds]] can work together and form a plan. Unfortunately, [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] and [[Elita One]] are too busy arguing to do any planning; Elita blames Starscream for allowing the humans onto Cybertron in the first place, and opines that they should all be wiped out, starting with new council member [[Marissa Faireborn]]. Optimus Prime tries to intercede, but Marissa can take care of herself; she impugns Elita's ability to resolve the situation without resorting to mass-murder, which proves just insulting enough for Elita to take up the challenge. When Elita calls her orbiting ship [[Vigilem|Carcer]] to order reinforcements sent down the planet's surface, however, the Council are met with only more bad news: the [[Space Knights|Knights]] of the [[Solstar Order]] have ''also'' arrived in Cybertronian orbit, their attention caught by the mutated, Dire-Wraith-like biology of the Talisman-altered Red Shadows, and they have placed the planet under quarantine!  
While the villains' main objective goes into motion, Baron Ironblood and the rest of his footsoldiers keep the Transformers and [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]]'s G.I. Joe team busy. Head of planetary security [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] saves Flint, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike]], and [[Zilong Qian|Talon]] from a band of Red Shadows led by [[Major Bludd]], then calls for a retreat back to the [[Spire]], hoping that the [[Council of Worlds]] can work together and form a plan. Unfortunately, [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] and [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] are too busy arguing to do any planning; Elita blames Starscream for allowing the humans onto Cybertron in the first place, and opines that they should all be wiped out, starting with new council member [[Marissa Faireborn]]. Optimus Prime tries to intercede, but Marissa can take care of herself; she impugns Elita's ability to resolve the situation without resorting to mass-murder, which proves just insulting enough for Elita to take up the challenge. When Elita calls her orbiting ship [[Vigilem|Carcer]] to order reinforcements sent down the planet's surface, however, the council are met with only more bad news: the [[Space Knight|Knights]] of the [[Solstar Order]] have ''also'' arrived in Cybertronian orbit, their attention caught by the mutated, Dire-Wraith-like biology of the Talisman-altered Red Shadows, and they have placed the planet under quarantine!  


Back on Earth, Scarlett calls in [[Matt Trakker]] and [[Gloria Baker]] of [[M.A.S.K.]], who provide the heroes a weapon of last resort of their own: a stabilized version of the alien techno-virus recovered from the remains of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] during the two teams' {{i|The Deathstone|last adventure together}}. Knowing that they will require use of a [[space bridge]] to get to Cybertron and join the fight there, the group sets course in a submarine for [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Autobot City]], hovering above the Greenland Sea. Upon surfacing, they are met by [[Skyburst (G1)|Skyburst]] and [[Stormclash]], who usher them aboard the city to meet with [[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]]. The Decepticon explains that the space bridge has been shut down from Cybertron's side, cutting them off, but the humans and Transformers put their heads together and figure out how to proceed. Deducing that the villains must have piggbacked their [[M.A.S.S. Device]] teleporter on the space bridge's signal to reach Cybertron in the first place, the heroes conclude it should be possible for them to recreate the effect for a one-shot teleportation—''if'' they can get their hands on the M.A.S.S. Device itself. With alamaring alacrity, the [[Torchbearer]] twins refit the bridge for the plan, then the combined forces of G.I. Joe, M.A.S.K., and Autobot City prepare to storm Castle Destro and take the M.A.S.S. Device by force!  
Back on Earth, Scarlett calls in [[Matt Trakker]] and [[Gloria Baker]] of [[M.A.S.K.]], who provide the heroes a weapon of last resort of their own: a stabilized version of the alien techno-virus recovered from the remains of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] during the two teams' [[The Deathstone|last adventure together]]. Knowing that they will require use of a [[Space bridge|Spacebridge]] to get to Cybertron and join the fight there, the group sets course in a submarine for [[Metrotitan (G1)|Autobot City]], hovering above the [[Greenland Sea]]. Upon surfacing, they are met by [[Skyburst (G1)|Skyburst]] and [[Stormclash]], who usher them aboard the city to meet with [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]. The Decepticon explains that the Spacebridge has been shut down from Cybertron's side, cutting them off, but the humans and Transformers put their heads together and figure out how to proceed. Deducing that the villains must have piggybacked their [[M.A.S.S. Device]] teleporter on the Spacebridge's signal to reach Cybertron in the first place, the heroes conclude it should be possible for them to recreate the effect for a one-shot teleportation—''if'' they can get their hands on the M.A.S.S. Device itself. With alamaring alacrity, the [[Torchbearer]] twins refit the bridge for the plan, then the combined forces of G.I. Joe, M.A.S.K., and Autobot City prepare to storm [[Castle Destro]] and take the M.A.S.S. Device by force!


==Featured characters==
==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.<br>
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.<br>
{{featuredcharacters
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] (9)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] (9)
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (10)
* [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (10)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]] (24)
* [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] (24)
*[[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]] (25)
* [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]] (25)
*[[Skyburst (G1)|Skyburst]] (26)
* [[Skyburst (G1)|Skyburst]] (26)
*[[Stormclash]] (27)
* [[Stormclash]] (27)


|c2=
|c2=
*''[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]'' (19)
* ''[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]'' (19)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]] (28)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] (28)


|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Scarlett]] (1)
* [[Scarlett]] (1)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (2)
* [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (2)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (3)
* [[Lady Jaye]] (3)
*[[Doc (Carla Greer)|Doc]] (4)
* [[Doc (Carla Greer)|Doc]] (4)
*[[Quick Kick]] (5)
* [[Quick Kick]] (5)
*[[Zilong Qian|Talon]] (22)
* [[Zilong Qian|Talon]] (22)
*[[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (23)
* [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (23)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (26)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike]] (26)


|h5=Ironblood's alliance|c5=
|h5=The [[Iron Ring]]|c5=
*[[Red Shadows]] (6)
* [[Red Shadows]] (6)
*[[Storm Shadow#IDW Generation 1 continuity|Storm Shadow]] (7)
* [[Tempest (G.I. Joe)|Storm Shadow II]] (7)
*[[Destro]] (8)
* [[Destro]] (8)
*[[Baron Ironblood]]/[[Joe Colton]] (11)
* "[[Doctor Mindbender|Baron Ironblood]]" (11)
*[[Iron Grenadier]]s (12)
* [[Iron Grenadier]]s (12)
*[[Miles Mayhem]] (13)
* [[Miles Mayhem]] (13)
*Mystery villain (14)
* [[Joe Colton|Mystery villain]] (14)
*[[Garrison Kreiger]] (15)
* [[Merklynn|Garrison Kreiger]] (15)
*[[Shazraella]] (16)
* [[Shazraella]] (16)
*[[Dreadnok|Buzzer]] (20)
* [[Buzzer (G.I. Joe)|Buzzer]] (20)
*[[Dreadnok|Ripper]] (21)
* [[Ripper (G.I. Joe)|Ripper]] (21)
*[[Major Bludd]] (25)
* [[Major Bludd]] (25)


|h4=[[M.A.S.K.]]|c4=
|h4=[[M.A.S.K.]]|c4=
*[[Matt Trakker]] (17)
* [[Matt Trakker]] (17)
*[[Gloria Baker]] (18)
* [[Gloria Baker]] (18)


|h6=Others|c6=
|h6=Others|c6=
*[[Antagony (BW)|Antagony]] (17)
'''Cybertronians'''
*[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (27)
* [[Antagony (BW)|Antagony]] (17)
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (28)
* [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] (27)
*[[Elita One]] (29)
* [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] (29)
*[[Prim]] (30)
'''Humans'''
*Space Knight (31)
* [[Marissa Faireborn]] (28)
*Purple Space Knight (32)
'''[[Solstar Order]]'''
*[[Nikomi]] (33)
* [[Prim]] (30)
*[[Diavod]] (34)
* [[Butin]] (31)
 
* [[Guar]] (32)
* [[Nikomi]] (33)
* [[Diavod]] (34)
}}
}}


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'''Starscream:''' "I will not be spoken to in this maner, Elita."<br>
'''Starscream:''' "I will not be spoken to in this manner, Elita."<br>
'''Elita One:''' "Perhaps you should have thought about that before allowing these flesh-covered parasites to run rampant across Iacon!"<br>
'''Elita One:''' "Perhaps you should have thought about that before allowing these flesh-covered parasites to run rampant across Iacon!"<br>
'''Marissa:''' "Hey! I am '''right''' here."
'''Marissa:''' "Hey! I am '''right''' here."


==Notes==
==Notes==
In addition to this 20-page main story, ''First Strike'' #2 also includes the four-page [[The Origins of Evil, Part Two: A Game of Chess|second chapter]] of an ongoing back-up strip, "[[The Origins of Evil]]," detailing how Ironblood assembled his evil allies.
In addition to this 20-page main story, ''First Strike'' #2 also includes the four-page [[The Origins of Evil, Part Two: A Game of Chess|second chapter]] of an ongoing back-up strip, "[[The Origins of Evil]]", detailing how Ironblood assembled his evil allies.


===IDW continuity notes===
===IDW continuity notes===
*Colton refers to "getting a new hand"; [[First Strike issue 0|issue #0]] showed how he had lost a hand to attempted [[Dire Wraith]] possession, while [[The Origins of Evil, Part One: Redcliffe Club|last issue's back-up strip]] explained how he had replaced with a Talisman-tech prosthesis.
* Colton refers to "getting a new hand"; [[First Strike issue 0|issue #0]] showed how he had lost a hand to attempted [[Dire Wraith]] possession, while [[The Origins of Evil, Part One: Redcliffe Club|last issue's back-up strip]] explained how he had replaced it with a Talisman-tech prosthesis.
*Trakker notes that the facsimile Transformers Ironblood uses to smuggle his forces onto Cybertron are "definitely M.A.S.K. tech." There's nothing overtly "M.A.S.K."-y about the robots themselves, and the advanced tech Kreiger has access to means Mayhem's involvement is hardly a certainly based on that alone; therefore, though it's not specifically stated, Matt must logically deducing this based on regular Cybertronians' inability to detect the villains' robots them as phonies. M.A.S.K. vehicles are blind to Cybertronian scanners as a result of enhancements made following Mayhem's study of [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], as seen in [[The Divine Source of Liberty|''Revolution'' #2]].
* Colton references his very first encounter with a Cybertronian life-form, as documented in [[The Secret of the Mummy's Tomb|issue 3]] of ''Revolutionaries''.
*As referenced in a footnote, the Joe and M.A.S.K. teams previously worked together to recover the remains of Astrotrain in {{i|The Deathstone|the 2017 ''M.A.S.K.'' Annual}}. The Decepticon died in space in [[All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|''The Transformers'' #55]], and the annual showed how his dismembered body parts crashed to Earth, having picked up a techno-virus along the way.
* Trakker notes that the facsimile Transformers Ironblood uses to smuggle his forces onto Cybertron are "definitely M.A.S.K. tech." There's nothing overtly "M.A.S.K."-y about the robots themselves, and the advanced tech Kreiger has access to means Mayhem's involvement is hardly a certainty based on that alone; therefore, though it's not specifically stated, Matt must logically be deducing this based on regular Cybertronians' inability to detect the villains' robots as phonies. M.A.S.K. vehicles are blind to Cybertronian scanners as a result of enhancements made following Mayhem's study of [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], as seen in [[The Divine Source of Liberty|''Revolution'' #2]].
*Scarlett refers to Gloria Baker getting "out of the game," and a footnote references ''M.A.S.K.'' #10 for this story point... except that issue was running late and hadn't been released at the time of this issue's publication.
* As referenced in a footnote, the Joe and M.A.S.K. teams previously worked together to recover the remains of Astrotrain in [[The Deathstone|the 2017 ''M.A.S.K.'' Annual]]. The Decepticon died in space in [[All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|''The Transformers'' #55]], and the annual showed how his dismembered body parts crashed to Earth, having picked up a techno-virus along the way.
*Major Bludd appears among Ironblood's ground troops; he has been working for the Baron since prior to [[Crisis Intervention|''Revolutionaries'' #1]], having severed ties with Cobra some years earlier following the events of the 2012 ''{{i|Cobra Command}}'' storyline.
* According to Roadblock, [[Dial-Tone|Dial Tone]] has "eyes on" [[Mercy Gale|Doctor X]] and the [[Iron Klaw]], answering the question of where the other two members of Ironblood's alliance in ''[[Revolutionaries]]'' are. Last issue's back-up strip, [[The Origins of Evil, Part One: Redcliffe Club|"Redcliffe Club"]], alluded to Doctor X's absence by having her mention her disinterest in travelling to Cybertron.
*Appearing for the first time in ''First Strike'' is the the mysterious obelisk code-named "Talisman," which has been the central macguffin of ''[[Revolutionaries]]''. This enigmatic device is an apparent creation of [[Onyx Prime]]'s, but also includes elements of the bio-technologies of Microspace and the Dire Wraiths. It's original purpose is unknown, but it arrived on Earth during the Ice Age, when the [[Eukaris|Eukarian]] spaceship carrying it crashed on the planet. It was found in the 20th century by Garrison Kreiger, who made study of it his life's work; in particular [[When Eagles Scream|''Revolutionaries'' #7]] showed how Kreiger and Colton discovered the Talisman's energy was deadly to Transformers, setting them on the course that has led to the events of ''First Strike''.
* Scarlett refers to Gloria Baker getting "out of the game", and a footnote references [[M.A.S.K. issue 10|''M.A.S.K.'' #10]] for this story point... except that issue was running late and hadn't been released at the time of this issue's publication.
*Also referenced in a footnote is Starscream's familiarity with Dire Wraiths, with whom he previously worked nearly two centuries before today in ''[[Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor]]''.
* Major Bludd appears among Ironblood's ground troops; he has been working for the Baron since prior to [[Crisis Intervention|''Revolutionaries'' #1]], having severed ties with Cobra some years earlier following the events of the 2012 {{i|"Cobra Command"}} storyline.
*Ironblood's alliance has been using the M.A.S.S. Device to move around Earth throughout ''[[Revolutionaries]]''; this issue's [[The Origins of Evil, Part Two: A Game of Chess|back-up strip]] explains that Destro provided the Baron with use of it. The Joes head out to storm Castle Destro at issue's end, since that's where the ''original'', imperfect M.A.S.S. Device was housed way back in the very earliest issues of IDW's ''G.I. Joe'' in 2008. The perfected M.A.S.S. was constructed at Cobra's Arctic Section Zero base, but Destro has evidently used the advancements made there to get his original working.
* Appearing for the first time in the main ''First Strike'' series, after appearing in the [[First Strike issue 0|''First Strike'' #0 prelude]], is the mysterious obelisk code-named "Talisman", which has been the central plot device of ''Revolutionaries''. This enigmatic device is an apparent creation of [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]]'s, but also includes elements of the biotechnologies of Microspace and the Dire Wraiths. Its original purpose is unknown, but it arrived on Earth during the [[Ice Age]], when the [[Axalon (BW)|vessel]] carrying it crashed on the planet. The Talisman teleported away with the vessel from [[World War II]]-era [[Brasnya]], somehow winding up in [[Egypt]], where it was uncovered in the 1980s by Garrison Kreiger, who made study of it his life's work; in particular [[When Eagles Scream|''Revolutionaries'' #7]] showed how Kreiger and Colton discovered the Talisman's energy was deadly to Transformers, setting them on the course that has led to the events of ''First Strike''.
* Also referenced in a footnote is Starscream's familiarity with Dire Wraiths, with whom he previously worked nearly two centuries before today in ''[[Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor]]''.
* Starscream mentions Elita One's refusal to bring down Carcer and help Cybertron, back in [[Ping|''Till All Are One'' #5]].
* Ironblood's alliance has been using the M.A.S.S. Device to move around Earth throughout ''[[Revolutionaries]]''; this issue's [[The Origins of Evil, Part Two: A Game of Chess|back-up strip]] explains that Destro provided the Baron with use of it. The Joes head out to storm Castle Destro at issue's end, since that's where the ''original'', imperfect M.A.S.S. Device was housed way back in the very earliest issues of IDW's ''G.I. Joe'' in 2008. The perfected M.A.S.S. was constructed at Cobra's Arctic Section Zero base, but Destro has evidently used the advancements made there to get his original working.
* The Space Knights who appear in this issue have previously made minor appearances in the ''[[ROM (comic)|ROM]]'' comic. Prim is the cat-like Knight, Guar is the purple blob, Nikomi is the bear-like Knight, and the Knight resembling an armored human like Rom is probably Butin, an [[Elonian]] who barely appeared in the [[Cold Fire|2017 ''ROM'' annual]]. The appearance of the unarmored Diavod comes as something of a surprise, as he is also an Elonian, a species not known to have centuries-long lifespans. It is unclear if in fact they do, or if Diavod possesses Space Knight armor that doesn't cover his head.
 
===Transformers references===
* Shazraella's enerchange victim is the same purple insectoid Transformer who stood out so conspicuously from the crowd last issue. She's not mentioned by name, but we now get a clear enough look at her to confirm that she is indeed Antagony, drawn based on her profile art in the ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook]]''.
* Like Optimus Prime, Starscream, and Windblade, Soundwave is now being drawn based on the "[[evergreen]]" design for the character created by Hasbro for use in licensed materials not tied to a particular toyline or film/animation project. Clear indicators are the presence of oscilloscope details on his upper arms, and an additional "satellite dish" on his left shoulder.


===Hasbro franchise references===
===Hasbro franchise references===
*The Outlaw was a toy from the second year of the ''M.A.S.K.'' toyline, converting from the tractor trailer seen here to a mobile battlefield headquarters. It was Miles Mayhem's second personal vehicle in the series, following the [[Switchblade (M.A.S.K.)|Switchblade]].
* The Outlaw was a toy from the second year of the ''[[M.A.S.K. (franchise)|M.A.S.K.]]'' toyline, converting from the tractor trailer seen here to a mobile battlefield headquarters. It was Miles Mayhem's second personal vehicle in the series, following the [[Switchblade (M.A.S.K.)|Switchblade]].


===Covers (7)===
===Covers (7)===
*'''Cover A:''' [[Rom]], Matt Trakker, and G.I. Joe surround Baron Ironblood as he stands atop the Talisman, by [[Freddie E. Williams II]] and [[Jeremy Colwell]]
* '''Cover A:''' [[Rom]], Matt Trakker, and G.I. Joe surround Baron Ironblood as he stands atop the Talisman, by [[Freddie E. Williams II]] and [[Jeremy Colwell]]
*'''Cover B:''' Shazarella lunges at Ironhide, G.I. Joe prepare to storm Castle Destro, and Ironblood looks on, by [[Max Dunbar]] and [[Ander Zarate]]
* '''Cover B:''' Shazraella lunges at Ironhide, G.I. Joe prepare to storm Castle Destro, and Ironblood looks on, by [[Max Dunbar]] and [[Ander Zarate]]
*'''Cover C:''' [[Doctor Mindbender]], Destro, Baron Ironblood, Scarlett, Roadblock, the Red Shadows, and the Talisman, by [[Alex Ronald]]; the Red Shadows appear with their original paramilitary ''Action Force'' design, rather than their IDW ninja appearance.
* '''Cover C:''' [[Doctor Mindbender]], Destro, Baron Ironblood, Scarlett, Roadblock, the Red Shadows, and the Talisman, by [[Alex Ronald]]; the Red Shadows appear with their original paramilitary ''Action Force'' design, rather than their IDW ninja appearance.
*'''Cover D:''' Soundwave, Scarlett, Shazraella, Roadblock, Matt Trakker, and Gloria Baker, by [[Rob Duenas]]
* '''Cover D:''' Soundwave, Scarlett, Shazraella, Roadblock, Matt Trakker, and Gloria Baker, by [[Rob Duenas]]


<gallery>
<gallery>
File:FirstStrike2 cvrA.jpg|
File:FirstStrike2 cvrA.jpg|King of the hill!
File:FirstStrike2 cvrB.jpg|
File:FirstStrike2 cvrB.jpg|Yes Baron, this is bad comedy.
File:FirstStrike2 cvrC.jpg|
File:FirstStrike2 cvrC.jpg|Biker 'Stache returns!
File:FirstStrike2 cvrD.jpg|
File:FirstStrike2 cvrD.jpg|[[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] on acid
</gallery>
</gallery>


*'''Retailer incentive cover A:''' Scarlett and Soundwave, by [[Jay Fosgitt]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover A:''' Scarlett and Soundwave, by [[Jay P. Fosgitt]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover B:''' Miles Mayhem, Destro, Doctor Mindbender, and the Talisman, by [[Davide Fabbri]] and [[Monica Kubina]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover B:''' Miles Mayhem, Destro, Doctor Mindbender, and the Talisman, by [[Davidé Fabbri]] and [[Monica Kubina]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover C:''' Shazraella, Storm Shadow, and our mystery villain, by [[Leonardo Manco]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover C:''' Shazraella, Storm Shadow, and our mystery villain, by [[Leonardo Manco]]


<gallery>
<gallery>
File:FirstStrike2 cvrRIA.jpg|
File:FirstStrike2 cvrRIA.jpg|"I'm sorry, that's never happened before."
File:FirstStrike2 cvrRIB.jpg|
File:FirstStrike2 cvrRIB.jpg|Is that Roadblock cosplaying as Mindbender?
File:FirstStrike2 cvrRIC.jpg|
File:FirstStrike2 cvrRIC.jpg|Ant of Doom
</gallery>
</gallery>


===Advertisements===
===Advertisements===
*''First Strike'' #3
* ''First Strike'' #3
*"The Hasbro Tribune" editorial page  
* "The Hasbro Tribune" editorial page  
*''First Strike'' checklist
* ''First Strike'' checklist
 
===Reprints===
<small>Other than [[First Strike#Collections|collections of the full series]]</small>
* N/A


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.cbr.com/first-strike-2-exclusive-preview/ Preview]
* [http://www.cbr.com/first-strike-2-exclusive-preview/ Preview]


[[Category: First Strike issues]]
[[Category:First Strike issues]]

Latest revision as of 21:03, 14 October 2025

{{#if: FirstStrike2_cvrA.jpg | {{#if: IDW Publishing | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: August 23, 2017 | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: August 2017 | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Mairghread Scott and David Rodriguez | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Max Dunbar | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Ander Zarate | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Tom B. Long | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: David Hedgecock | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: David Mariotte | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: 2005 IDW continuity | {{#if: Current era | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: |
{{#if: First Strike issue 1|«}} {{#if: |{{#switch:{{{series}}} micromasters=Transformers: Micromasters{{#if: | #| }}{{#if: |issues:}}[[Category:Micromasters issues{{#if: *}}]] joevstf1=G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers{{#if: | #| }}{{#if: |issues:}}[[Category:G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issues{{#if: *}}]] joevstf2=G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II{{#if: | #| }}{{#if: |issues:}}[[Category:G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issues{{#if: *}}]] joevstfaow=G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers:
The Art of War{{#if: | #| }}{{#if: |issues:}}[[Category:G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issues{{#if:		 *}}]] joevstfbh=G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers:
Black Horizon{{#if: | #| }}{{#if: |issues:}}[[Category:G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issues{{#if:		 *}}]] tfgijoedf=[[{{#ifeq:{{{series}}}|tfgijoedf|Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front|Transformers/G.I. Joe}}]]{{#if: | #| }}{{#if: |issues:}}[[Category:Transformers/G.I. Joe issues{{#if: *}}]] regeneration one=The Transformers: Regeneration One{{#if: | #| }}{{#if: |issues:}}[[Category:Regeneration One issues{{#if: *}}]] {{#ifeq:{{#switch:{{{series}}} transformers spotlight|transformers: spotlight|the transformers spotlight|the transformers: spotlight=The Transformers: Spotlight transformers infiltration|transformers: infiltration|the transformers infiltration|the transformers: infiltration=The Transformers: Infiltration transformers stormbringer|transformers: stormbringer|the transformers stormbringer|the transformers: stormbringer=The Transformers: Stormbringer transformers escalation|transformers: escalation|the transformers escalation|the transformers: escalation=The Transformers: Escalation megorigin|megatron origin|transformers megatron origin|transformers: megatron origin|the transformers megatron origin|the transformers: megatron origin=The Transformers: Megatron Origin transformers devastation|transformers: devastation|the transformers devastation|the transformers: devastation=The Transformers: Devastation maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|the transformers: maximum dinobots=The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots premierecollection|premiere collection|the transformers: the premiere collection=The Transformers: The Premiere Collection all hail megatron|transformers all hail megatron|transformers: all hail megatron|the transformers all hail megatron|the transformers: all hail megatron=The Transformers: All Hail Megatron the idw collection|the transformers: the idw collection=The Transformers: The IDW Collection the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)=The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers vol. 1 transformers bumblebee|transformers: bumblebee|the transformers bumblebee|the transformers: bumblebee=The Transformers: Bumblebee wreckers|last stand of the wreckers|transformers last stand of the wreckers|transformers: last stand of the wreckers|the transformers last stand of the wreckers|the transformers: last stand of the wreckers=The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers transformers ironhide|transformers: ironhide|the transformers ironhide|the transformers: ironhide=The Transformers: Ironhide transformers drift|transformers: drift|the transformers drift|the transformers: drift=The Transformers: Drift the idw collection|g.i. joe: the idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection infestation=Infestation (IDW)|Infestation infestation 2=Infestation 2 heart of darkness|transformers heart of darkness|transformers: heart of darkness|the transformers heart of darkness|the transformers: heart of darkness=The Transformers: Heart of Darkness tdoop|death of optimus prime|the death of optimus prime|transformers: the death of optimus prime=Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime more than meets the eye|transformers: more than meets the eye|the transformers: more than meets the eye=The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise=The Transformers: Robots in Disguise dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron exrid|the transformers (idw) vol. 2=The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers vol. 2 drift:eos|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: empire of stone|transformers: drift: empire of stone|the transformers drift: empire of stone|drift: empire of stone=The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone the transformers: windblade=The Transformers: Windblade windblade2015|the transformers: windblade vol. 2|the transformers: windblade (2015)=The Transformers: Windblade|The Transformers: Windblade vol. 2 transformers autocracy|transformers: autocracy|the transformers autocracy|autocracy=The Transformers: Autocracy transformers monstrosity|transformers: monstrosity|the transformers monstrosity|monstrosity=The Transformers: Monstrosity transformers primacy|transformers: primacy|the transformers primacy|primacy=The Transformers: Primacy sins of the wreckers|transformers sins of the wreckers|transformers: sins of the wreckers|the transformers sins of the wreckers|the transformers: sins of the wreckers=The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers transformers punishment|transformers: punishment|the transformers punishment|the transformers: punishment|punishment=The Transformers: Punishment transformers redemption|transformers: redemption|the transformers redemption|the transformers: redemption|redemption=The Transformers: Redemption transformers salvation|transformers: salvation|the transformers salvation|the transformers: salvation|salvation=The Transformers: Salvation transformers vs gi joe|transformers vs. g.i. joe=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe combiner hunters|combiner hunters (comic)=An Uneventful Night|Combiner Hunters titans return|titans return (comic)=Titans Return (comic)|Titans Return till all are one|transformers: till all are one|the transformers: till all are one=The Transformers: Till All Are One lost light|transformers: lost light|the transformers: lost light=The Transformers: Lost Light optimus prime|optimus prime (comic)=Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime annual2017|transformers annual 2017=Ghost Stories|Transformers Annual 2017 revolution=Revolution revolutionaries=Revolutionaries action man=Action Man (comic)|Action Man gijoe5|gijoevol5|g.i. joe vol. 5|gi joe vol 5=G.I. Joe vol. 5 hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook micronauts=Micronauts (comic)|Micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts: wrath of karza=Micronauts: Wrath of Karza first strike=First Strike ROM rom dire wraiths|rom: dire wraiths=Rom: Dire Wraiths romamn|rom&mn|rom and the micronauts|rom & the micronauts=Rom & the Micronauts rom vs transformers|shining armor|rom vs. transformers|rom vs transformers: shining armor|rom vs transformers: shining armor=Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor m.a.s.k.|m. a. s. k.|mask mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k. mobile armored strike kommand|mask: mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k.: mobile armored strike command=M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand scarletts strike force|scarlett's strike force=Scarlett's Strike Force transformers vs visionaries|transformers vs. visionaries=Transformers vs. Visionaries requiem of the wreckers|transformers requiem of the wreckers|transformers: requiem of the wreckers=Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers transformers unicron|transformers: unicron=Transformers: Unicron {{{series}}} |{{#ifeq:{{#switch:{{{series}}} war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic) fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic) transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel) prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series) primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire! rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic) {{{series}}} [[{{#switch:{{{series}}} war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic) fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic) transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel) prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series) primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire! rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)  #| }}{{#if: |issues:}}{{#ifeq: | Category [[Category:IDW {{#switch:{{#switch:{{{series}}} war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic) fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic) transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel) prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series) primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire! rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic) {{{series}}}}} {{#switch:prime war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic) fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic) transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel) prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series) primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire! rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic) {{#switch:primeadaptation war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic) fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic) transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel) prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series) primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire! rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic) {{#switch:ragedinobots war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic) fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic) transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel) prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series) primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire! rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic) ragedinobots}}=Prime {{#switch:rid2015 war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic) fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic) transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel) prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series) primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire! rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic) rid2015}}=Robots in Disguise (2015) {{#switch:{{{series}}} war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=War for Cybertron fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Fall of Cybertron transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)|primeadaptation|prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Prime primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Prime – Rage of the Dinobots transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Prime – Beast Hunters fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Prime – Beast Hunters Special rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Robots in Disguise (2015) Aligned}}}} issues{{#if: [[{{#switch:{{{series}}} transformers spotlight|transformers: spotlight|the transformers spotlight|the transformers: spotlight=The Transformers: Spotlight transformers infiltration|transformers: infiltration|the transformers infiltration|the transformers: infiltration=The Transformers: Infiltration transformers stormbringer|transformers: stormbringer|the transformers stormbringer|the transformers: stormbringer=The Transformers: Stormbringer transformers escalation|transformers: escalation|the transformers escalation|the transformers: escalation=The Transformers: Escalation megorigin|megatron origin|transformers megatron origin|transformers: megatron origin|the transformers megatron origin|the transformers: megatron origin=The Transformers: Megatron Origin transformers devastation|transformers: devastation|the transformers devastation|the transformers: devastation=The Transformers: Devastation maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|the transformers: maximum dinobots=The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots premierecollection|premiere collection|the transformers: the premiere collection=The Transformers: The Premiere Collection all hail megatron|transformers all hail megatron|transformers: all hail megatron|the transformers all hail megatron|the transformers: all hail megatron=The Transformers: All Hail Megatron the idw collection|the transformers: the idw collection=The Transformers: The IDW Collection the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)=The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers vol. 1 transformers bumblebee|transformers: bumblebee|the transformers bumblebee|the transformers: bumblebee=The Transformers: Bumblebee wreckers|last stand of the wreckers|transformers last stand of the wreckers|transformers: last stand of the wreckers|the transformers last stand of the wreckers|the transformers: last stand of the wreckers=The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers transformers ironhide|transformers: ironhide|the transformers ironhide|the transformers: ironhide=The Transformers: Ironhide transformers drift|transformers: drift|the transformers drift|the transformers: drift=The Transformers: Drift the idw collection|g.i. joe: the idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection infestation=Infestation (IDW)|Infestation infestation 2=Infestation 2 heart of darkness|transformers heart of darkness|transformers: heart of darkness|the transformers heart of darkness|the transformers: heart of darkness=The Transformers: Heart of Darkness tdoop|death of optimus prime|the death of optimus prime|transformers: the death of optimus prime=Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime more than meets the eye|transformers: more than meets the eye|the transformers: more than meets the eye=The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise=The Transformers: Robots in Disguise dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron exrid|the transformers (idw) vol. 2=The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers vol. 2 drift:eos|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: empire of stone|transformers: drift: empire of stone|the transformers drift: empire of stone|drift: empire of stone=The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone the transformers: windblade=The Transformers: Windblade windblade2015|the transformers: windblade vol. 2|the transformers: windblade (2015)=The Transformers: Windblade|The Transformers: Windblade vol. 2 transformers autocracy|transformers: autocracy|the transformers autocracy|autocracy=The Transformers: Autocracy transformers monstrosity|transformers: monstrosity|the transformers monstrosity|monstrosity=The Transformers: Monstrosity transformers primacy|transformers: primacy|the transformers primacy|primacy=The Transformers: Primacy sins of the wreckers|transformers sins of the wreckers|transformers: sins of the wreckers|the transformers sins of the wreckers|the transformers: sins of the wreckers=The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers transformers punishment|transformers: punishment|the transformers punishment|the transformers: punishment|punishment=The Transformers: Punishment transformers redemption|transformers: redemption|the transformers redemption|the transformers: redemption|redemption=The Transformers: Redemption transformers salvation|transformers: salvation|the transformers salvation|the transformers: salvation|salvation=The Transformers: Salvation transformers vs gi joe|transformers vs. g.i. joe=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe combiner hunters|combiner hunters (comic)=An Uneventful Night|Combiner Hunters titans return|titans return (comic)=Titans Return (comic)|Titans Return till all are one|transformers: till all are one|the transformers: till all are one=The Transformers: Till All Are One lost light|transformers: lost light|the transformers: lost light=The Transformers: Lost Light optimus prime|optimus prime (comic)=Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime annual2017|transformers annual 2017=Ghost Stories|Transformers Annual 2017 revolution=Revolution revolutionaries=Revolutionaries action man=Action Man (comic)|Action Man gijoe5|gijoevol5|g.i. joe vol. 5|gi joe vol 5=G.I. Joe vol. 5 hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook micronauts=Micronauts (comic)|Micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts: wrath of karza=Micronauts: Wrath of Karza first strike=First Strike ROM rom dire wraiths|rom: dire wraiths=Rom: Dire Wraiths romamn|rom&mn|rom and the micronauts|rom & the micronauts=Rom & the Micronauts rom vs transformers|shining armor|rom vs. transformers|rom vs transformers: shining armor|rom vs transformers: shining armor=Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor m.a.s.k.|m. a. s. k.|mask mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k. mobile armored strike kommand|mask: mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k.: mobile armored strike command=M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand scarletts strike force|scarlett's strike force=Scarlett's Strike Force transformers vs visionaries|transformers vs. visionaries=Transformers vs. Visionaries requiem of the wreckers|transformers requiem of the wreckers|transformers: requiem of the wreckers=Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers transformers unicron|transformers: unicron=Transformers: Unicron  #| }}{{#if: |issues:}}{{#ifeq: | Category [[Category:{{#switch:{{{series}}} premierecollection|premiere collection|the transformers: the premiere collection|idwcollection|the idw collection|the transformers: the idw collection=IDW Collection transformers spotlight|transformers: spotlight|the transformers spotlight|spotlight=Spotlight transformers infiltration|transformers: infiltration|the transformers infiltration|infiltration=Infiltration transformers stormbringer|transformers: stormbringer|the transformers stormbringer|the transformers: stormbringer=Stormbringer transformers escalation|transformers: escalation|the transformers escalation|escalation=Escalation megorigin|megatron origin|transformers megatron origin|transformers: megatron origin|the transformers megatron origin|the transformers: megatron origin=Megatron Origin transformers devastation|transformers: devastation|the transformers devastation|devastation=Devastation maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|maximum dinobots=Maximum Dinobots all hail megatron|transformers all hail megatron|transformers: all hail megatron|the transformers all hail megatron|all hail megatron=All Hail Megatron the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)|the transformers (idw)=IDW The Transformers transformers bumblebee|transformers: bumblebee|the transformers bumblebee|bumblebee=Bumblebee wreckers|last stand of the wreckers|transformers last stand of the wreckers|transformers: last stand of the wreckers|the transformers last stand of the wreckers|last stand of the wreckers=Last Stand of the Wreckers transformers ironhide|transformers: ironhide|the transformers ironhide|ironhide=Ironhide Infestation (IDW)=Infestation Infestation2|Infestation 2=Infestation transformers drift|transformers: drift|the transformers drift|drifteos|drift:eos|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: empire of stone|transformers: drift: empire of stone|the transformers drift: empire of stone|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: origins and empires|transformers drift: origins & empires|origins and empires|origins & empires=Drift heart of darkness|transformers heart of darkness|transformers: heart of darkness|the transformers heart of darkness|heart of darkness=Heart of Darkness tdoop|death of optimus prime|the death of optimus prime|transformers: the death of optimus prime=The Death of Optimus Prime more than meets the eye|transformers: more than meets the eye=IDW More than Meets the Eye robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise|ongoing2|exrid|the transformers (idw) vol. 2=IDW Robots in Disguise (2012) dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron the transformers: windblade|windblade2|windblade2015|the transformers: windblade vol. 2|the transformers: windblade (2015)=Windblade transformers autocracy|transformers: autocracy|the transformers autocracy|autocracy=Autocracy transformers monstrosity|transformers: monstrosity|the transformers monstrosity|monstrosity=Monstrosity transformers primacy|transformers: primacy|the transformers primacy|primacy=Primacy transformers punishment|transformers: punishment|the transformers punishment|the transformers: punishment|punishment=Punishment transformers redemption|transformers: redemption|the transformers redemption|the transformers: redemption|redemption=Redemption transformers salvation|transformers: salvation|the transformers salvation|the transformers: salvation|salvation=Salvation marsattackstransformers|mars attacks: the transformers=Mars Attacks: The Transformers transformers deviations|transformers: deviations=IDW crossover synergy: a hasbro creators showcase=IDW crossover transformers vs gi joe|transformers vs. g.i. joe=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe sotw|wreckers2|sins of the wreckers|transformers sins of the wreckers|transformers: sins of the wreckers|the transformers sins of the wreckers|the transformers: sins of the wreckers=Sins of the Wreckers combiner hunters|combiner hunters (comic)=Combiner Hunters titans return|titans return (comic)=Titans Return optimus prime|optimus prime (comic)=Optimus Prime annual2017|2017 Annual|Annual 2017=Transformers Annual 2017 lost light|transformers lost light|the transformers lost light|transformers: lost light|the transformers: lost light=Lost Light till all are one|Till All Are One|transformers till all are one|transformers: till all are one|the transformers till all are one|the transformers: till all are one=Till All Are One revolution=Revolution revolutionaries=Revolutionaries action man=Action Man gijoe5|g.i. joe vol 5|g.i. joe vol. 5|g.i. joe volume 5|g.i. joe (vol. 5)|g.i. joe (volume 5)=G.I. Joe vol. 5 g.i. joe idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection first strike=First Strike hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook micronauts=Micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts: wrath of karza=Micronauts: Wrath of Karza rom=ROM rom dire wraiths|rom: dire wraiths=Rom: Dire Wraiths romamn|rom&mn|rom and the micronauts|rom & the micronauts=Rom & the Micronauts rom vs transformers|shining armor|rom vs. transformers|rom vs transformers: shining armor|rom vs. transformers: shining armor=Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor m.a.s.k.|m. a. s. k.|mask mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k. mobile armored strike kommand|mask: mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k.: mobile armored strike command=M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand scarletts strike force|scarlett's strike force=Scarlett's Strike Force transformers vs visionaries|transformers vs. visionaries=Transformers vs. Visionaries requiem of the wreckers|transformers requiem of the wreckers|transformers: requiem of the wreckers=Requiem of the Wreckers transformers unicron=Unicron IDW (2005)}} issues{{#if: *}}]]}}}}}} First Strike #2}} {{#if: First Strike issue 3|»}}
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Publisher IDW Publishing}}
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First published August 23, 2017}}
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Written by Mairghread Scott and David Rodriguez}}
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Art by Max Dunbar}}
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{{#switch:{{#sub:xx|2|14}}|dark cybertron=}}

M.A.S.K. accompanies G.I. Joe to Autobot City to get help, while more members of Baron Ironblood's villainous cadre step out of the shadows to proceed with the next step of their plan.

Synopsis

[edit]

Scarlett's reading of Joe Colton's letter is interrupted as a phalanx of Red Shadows crash through the walls of the bunker. The Joes pull out, fighting their way through the ninja back to the surface, realizing as they go that Colton has wired the entire base to blow. The team intends to hijack one of the heli-transports on the launchpad outside to get away, but even it is set to explode, and does so before they can get to it. His patience expired, Roadblock puts all of his might to work shoulder-charging his way through the Red Shadows, clearing a path that lets the team make it outside before the whole base goes up. Once they have regained their bearings, Scarlett resumes reading Colton's letter, and learns that Colton has joined forces with Garrison Kreiger to avail of the "weapon of last resort" he possesses. Having found official channels to be insurmountably corrupted by Dire Wraith infiltration, Colton went outside the law to enact this plan, creating a new identity for himself: Baron Ironblood.

On Cybertron, Destro and Storm Shadow blast their way past Optimus Prime and Windblade in the Razorback, making for their pre-determined rendezvous point. Also on course for the same location is the team of Miles Mayhem, Garrison Kreiger, and a third villain whose face remains hidden in shadow, who are transporting Kreiger's weapon—the mysterious alien obelisk known as the "Talisman"—in Mayhem's "Outlaw" truck. The plan is to connect the Talisman to Cybertron's core and poison the planet from within—a task which requires the "enerchange" interface abilities of the final member of the villainous team, Microspace minister of war Shazraella. The inches tall Shazraella requires a larger body in order to do her part, the procurement of which falls to Storm Shadow; from the fleeing crowd of panicked Cybertronians, the ninja selects and cuts down Antagony so that Shazraella can enerchange and fuse with her, gaining control of her body. Linking up with the rest of the villains, the now-giant Shazraella hefts the Talisman onto her back, and she and the rest of the team—squabbling and backbiting all the way, of course—enter a duct that will lead them down into the depths of the planet.

While the villains' main objective goes into motion, Baron Ironblood and the rest of his footsoldiers keep the Transformers and Flint's G.I. Joe team busy. Head of planetary security Ironhide saves Flint, Spike, and Talon from a band of Red Shadows led by Major Bludd, then calls for a retreat back to the Spire, hoping that the Council of Worlds can work together and form a plan. Unfortunately, Starscream and Elita One are too busy arguing to do any planning; Elita blames Starscream for allowing the humans onto Cybertron in the first place, and opines that they should all be wiped out, starting with new council member Marissa Faireborn. Optimus Prime tries to intercede, but Marissa can take care of herself; she impugns Elita's ability to resolve the situation without resorting to mass-murder, which proves just insulting enough for Elita to take up the challenge. When Elita calls her orbiting ship Carcer to order reinforcements sent down the planet's surface, however, the council are met with only more bad news: the Knights of the Solstar Order have also arrived in Cybertronian orbit, their attention caught by the mutated, Dire-Wraith-like biology of the Talisman-altered Red Shadows, and they have placed the planet under quarantine!

Back on Earth, Scarlett calls in Matt Trakker and Gloria Baker of M.A.S.K., who provide the heroes a weapon of last resort of their own: a stabilized version of the alien techno-virus recovered from the remains of Astrotrain during the two teams' last adventure together. Knowing that they will require use of a Spacebridge to get to Cybertron and join the fight there, the group sets course in a submarine for Autobot City, hovering above the Greenland Sea. Upon surfacing, they are met by Skyburst and Stormclash, who usher them aboard the city to meet with Soundwave. The Decepticon explains that the Spacebridge has been shut down from Cybertron's side, cutting them off, but the humans and Transformers put their heads together and figure out how to proceed. Deducing that the villains must have piggybacked their M.A.S.S. Device teleporter on the Spacebridge's signal to reach Cybertron in the first place, the heroes conclude it should be possible for them to recreate the effect for a one-shot teleportation—if they can get their hands on the M.A.S.S. Device itself. With alamaring alacrity, the Torchbearer twins refit the bridge for the plan, then the combined forces of G.I. Joe, M.A.S.K., and Autobot City prepare to storm Castle Destro and take the M.A.S.S. Device by force!

[edit]

Characters in italic text appear only in flashbacks.
{{#if: ||(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)}}

{{#if:* Optimus Prime (9) {{#if:* Optimus Prime (9)
Autobots }}{{#if:* Astrotrain (19) Decepticons }}{{#if:* Scarlett (1) G.I. Joe }}{{#if:* Matt Trakker (17) M.A.S.K. }}{{#if:* Red Shadows (6) The Iron Ring }}{{#if:Cybertronians

Humans

Solstar Order

Others }}

Humans

Solstar Order

Cybertronians

Humans

Solstar Order

Quotes

[edit]

"People sure have a crap way of complimenting you, Scarlett."
"I blame myself."
"I blame you too. Underachieve some time, will ya?"

—Lady Jaye and Scarlett


"You are extremely bossy for someone so easily crushed."
"That should tell you something."

—Storm Shadow and Shazraella


"Soundwave? That's the talking boom box, right?"
"Right."
"There's a reason I missed this work."

—Gloria Baker and Roadblock


Starscream: "I will not be spoken to in this manner, Elita."
Elita One: "Perhaps you should have thought about that before allowing these flesh-covered parasites to run rampant across Iacon!"
Marissa: "Hey! I am right here."

Notes

[edit]

In addition to this 20-page main story, First Strike #2 also includes the four-page second chapter of an ongoing back-up strip, "The Origins of Evil", detailing how Ironblood assembled his evil allies.

IDW continuity notes

[edit]
  • Colton refers to "getting a new hand"; issue #0 showed how he had lost a hand to attempted Dire Wraith possession, while last issue's back-up strip explained how he had replaced it with a Talisman-tech prosthesis.
  • Colton references his very first encounter with a Cybertronian life-form, as documented in issue 3 of Revolutionaries.
  • Trakker notes that the facsimile Transformers Ironblood uses to smuggle his forces onto Cybertron are "definitely M.A.S.K. tech." There's nothing overtly "M.A.S.K."-y about the robots themselves, and the advanced tech Kreiger has access to means Mayhem's involvement is hardly a certainty based on that alone; therefore, though it's not specifically stated, Matt must logically be deducing this based on regular Cybertronians' inability to detect the villains' robots as phonies. M.A.S.K. vehicles are blind to Cybertronian scanners as a result of enhancements made following Mayhem's study of Blitzwing, as seen in Revolution #2.
  • As referenced in a footnote, the Joe and M.A.S.K. teams previously worked together to recover the remains of Astrotrain in the 2017 M.A.S.K. Annual. The Decepticon died in space in The Transformers #55, and the annual showed how his dismembered body parts crashed to Earth, having picked up a techno-virus along the way.
  • According to Roadblock, Dial Tone has "eyes on" Doctor X and the Iron Klaw, answering the question of where the other two members of Ironblood's alliance in Revolutionaries are. Last issue's back-up strip, "Redcliffe Club", alluded to Doctor X's absence by having her mention her disinterest in travelling to Cybertron.
  • Scarlett refers to Gloria Baker getting "out of the game", and a footnote references M.A.S.K. #10 for this story point... except that issue was running late and hadn't been released at the time of this issue's publication.
  • Major Bludd appears among Ironblood's ground troops; he has been working for the Baron since prior to Revolutionaries #1, having severed ties with Cobra some years earlier following the events of the 2012 {{#if:||"Cobra Command"}} storyline.
  • Appearing for the first time in the main First Strike series, after appearing in the First Strike #0 prelude, is the mysterious obelisk code-named "Talisman", which has been the central plot device of Revolutionaries. This enigmatic device is an apparent creation of Onyx Prime's, but also includes elements of the biotechnologies of Microspace and the Dire Wraiths. Its original purpose is unknown, but it arrived on Earth during the Ice Age, when the vessel carrying it crashed on the planet. The Talisman teleported away with the vessel from World War II-era Brasnya, somehow winding up in Egypt, where it was uncovered in the 1980s by Garrison Kreiger, who made study of it his life's work; in particular Revolutionaries #7 showed how Kreiger and Colton discovered the Talisman's energy was deadly to Transformers, setting them on the course that has led to the events of First Strike.
  • Also referenced in a footnote is Starscream's familiarity with Dire Wraiths, with whom he previously worked nearly two centuries before today in Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor.
  • Starscream mentions Elita One's refusal to bring down Carcer and help Cybertron, back in Till All Are One #5.
  • Ironblood's alliance has been using the M.A.S.S. Device to move around Earth throughout Revolutionaries; this issue's back-up strip explains that Destro provided the Baron with use of it. The Joes head out to storm Castle Destro at issue's end, since that's where the original, imperfect M.A.S.S. Device was housed way back in the very earliest issues of IDW's G.I. Joe in 2008. The perfected M.A.S.S. was constructed at Cobra's Arctic Section Zero base, but Destro has evidently used the advancements made there to get his original working.
  • The Space Knights who appear in this issue have previously made minor appearances in the ROM comic. Prim is the cat-like Knight, Guar is the purple blob, Nikomi is the bear-like Knight, and the Knight resembling an armored human like Rom is probably Butin, an Elonian who barely appeared in the 2017 ROM annual. The appearance of the unarmored Diavod comes as something of a surprise, as he is also an Elonian, a species not known to have centuries-long lifespans. It is unclear if in fact they do, or if Diavod possesses Space Knight armor that doesn't cover his head.

Transformers references

[edit]
  • Shazraella's enerchange victim is the same purple insectoid Transformer who stood out so conspicuously from the crowd last issue. She's not mentioned by name, but we now get a clear enough look at her to confirm that she is indeed Antagony, drawn based on her profile art in the Beast Wars Sourcebook.
  • Like Optimus Prime, Starscream, and Windblade, Soundwave is now being drawn based on the "evergreen" design for the character created by Hasbro for use in licensed materials not tied to a particular toyline or film/animation project. Clear indicators are the presence of oscilloscope details on his upper arms, and an additional "satellite dish" on his left shoulder.

Hasbro franchise references

[edit]
  • The Outlaw was a toy from the second year of the M.A.S.K. toyline, converting from the tractor trailer seen here to a mobile battlefield headquarters. It was Miles Mayhem's second personal vehicle in the series, following the Switchblade.

Covers (7)

[edit]
  • Cover A: Rom, Matt Trakker, and G.I. Joe surround Baron Ironblood as he stands atop the Talisman, by Freddie E. Williams II and Jeremy Colwell
  • Cover B: Shazraella lunges at Ironhide, G.I. Joe prepare to storm Castle Destro, and Ironblood looks on, by Max Dunbar and Ander Zarate
  • Cover C: Doctor Mindbender, Destro, Baron Ironblood, Scarlett, Roadblock, the Red Shadows, and the Talisman, by Alex Ronald; the Red Shadows appear with their original paramilitary Action Force design, rather than their IDW ninja appearance.
  • Cover D: Soundwave, Scarlett, Shazraella, Roadblock, Matt Trakker, and Gloria Baker, by Rob Duenas
  • King of the hill!
    King of the hill!
  • Yes Baron, this is bad comedy.
    Yes Baron, this is bad comedy.
  • Biker 'Stache returns!
    Biker 'Stache returns!
  • Dreamwave on acid
    Dreamwave on acid
  • Retailer incentive cover A: Scarlett and Soundwave, by Jay P. Fosgitt
  • Retailer incentive cover B: Miles Mayhem, Destro, Doctor Mindbender, and the Talisman, by Davidé Fabbri and Monica Kubina
  • Retailer incentive cover C: Shazraella, Storm Shadow, and our mystery villain, by Leonardo Manco
  • "I'm sorry, that's never happened before."
    "I'm sorry, that's never happened before."
  • Is that Roadblock cosplaying as Mindbender?
    Is that Roadblock cosplaying as Mindbender?
  • Ant of Doom
    Ant of Doom

Advertisements

[edit]
  • First Strike #3
  • "The Hasbro Tribune" editorial page
  • First Strike checklist

Reprints

[edit]

Other than collections of the full series

  • N/A
[edit]
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